Canada



(No Model.)

J.`THOMPS0N;V Life Preservar'.

No, 240,185.` `Parana-.w1 April 26,1881.,

- WITNEsss':

ATTGRNEYS.

MFETS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

NITED vSTATES PATENT y OFFICE.I

JOHN THOMPSON, OF VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

LI FE-PRES'ERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No` 240,785, dated April 26, 1881.

Application filed September 30, 18H0. (No model.)

i Victoria, in British Columbia and Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and Improved Life-Preserver, ot' which the following is a speoication.

The invention relates to that class of devices designed to be placed about the body to support and oat persons in the water.

The invention consists of a series of lioats so hinged to a beltthatis to befastened around the body that when not in use the tloats hang perpendicularlyfrom the belt, and when the device is in use the floats extend radially and at right angles from the belt and lock themselves in position; and it consists, further, of a circular water-proof covering enveloping the series of oats, which envelope may be inflated 5 and, further, ofa lling of corkbetween the floats within the envelope, all of which is hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a front view of the device with the belt unbuckled and stretched out. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same with the belt buckled in position for use. Fig. 3 is a plan of the device with an air-tight and water-proof covering. Fig. et is a plan ot the same with a water-tight covering and with cork lled in between the floats. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side elevation oi' a tloat on linew, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation on line y y,

Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation of a hollow metal float.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, A represents the belt, designed to be about five inches wide, and provided on its face with aseries of metallic plates,

a a, secured at equal distances apart. N ear the upper edge of each plate ct an aperture, b, is made, that extends through the belt A, and immediately over these apertures b b narrow plates c c are secured, that project downward partly over the apertures b b and serve as catches for the hooked ends ofthe hooks d d, that are attached to the floats B B. Said lioats B B are hinged to theplates a a, as shown at d' d', and are made of a central cork, f, covered with top and bottom plates, g, of wood, that are held invplace by bolts h, that pass vertically between four and live inches across at their outer ends, between two and three inches across at their inner ends, and to weigh from six to twelve ounces each, and are preferably made to taper tlatwise. On the upper face of each oat B a spring-hook, d, is secured, consisting of a dat strip of metal with a hooked free end, whose free end, when the ioats B B are in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, engages in an aperture, b, and under the edge of a plate, c, whereby said floats B B are held in a horizontal position. The belt A is provided with straps k and buckles l at opposite ends, for fastening the device about the person; but clasps or other suitable devices may be used for this purpose, and an alarm-rattle, F, similar to a watchmans rattle, is attachedvto said belt A by a cord or chain, F', as shown in Fig. 1, whereby a noise may be made by theoperator that will be heard at a greater distance than thehurnan voice, and can be distinguished arms, it will keep the head and shoulders of a person of such weight well above the water.

In Fig. 3 is shown the device represented by Figs. 1 and 2 inclosed in an air-tightcovering, 0,01? rubber cloth or other suitable fabric, and in this instance the radial opening m in the device is closed, or the edges of the covering C are brought near to eachother and held in position by straps and buckles 'n a. D represents a flexible tube attached to the device for the purpose of inilation. In Figs. 3 and f tthe same device of loats B Bis represented inclosed in a water-proof envelope, (l, strapped together by straps and buckles a n, and with pieces of cork, E, packed within said envelope C, between the floats B B, to increase the buoyancy of the device. Either of these devices shown in Figs. 3 and 4,with iioats B B of sa-me dimensions and construction as those shown in Figs. l and 2, will easily support two persons in the water. .Y

In Fig. 7 is shown a float, B, of modiiied construction, it being an air-tight metal box.

When not in use this life-preserver occupies IOO but little space, can be conveniently carried in a hand-valise, and vit is strong, durable, and easy of adjustment, and when secured to a person in the water saidl lite-preserver spreads out horizontally on the surface of the Water and affords a perfect support for the body and a rest for the arms. When it is provided with an air-tight covering, as shown in Fig. 3, it will support a person in the Water until, at his leisure, he mayintlate the covering, and when inflated it will afford ample support to a second person.

llaving thus fullT described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 

